Abe Lucas was not the only 2022 draft pick the Seahawks tried to extend this offseason

There has been much talk about the Seattle Seahawks 2022 draft class and whether they will stay in Seattle for a second contract. Field Gulls’ own even put together a great article on who the Seahawks should and should not extend. However, with the recent trade rumors swirling around cornerback, Riq Woolen, an interesting piece of news was brought up again by Seahawks reporter, Brady Henderson.

When on Seattle Sports radio this week, Henderson reported that the Seahawks were trying to extend another member of the 2022 Draft Class, safety Coby Bryant before training camp. (You can listen to the piece about Bryant at the 23:35 mark of the video). Henderson stated that the extension did not happen because “the sides were too far apart … and couldn’t get a deal done.”

Through all of the news that is coming out between the start of training camp and to this point in the season, this piece of news about Bryant seemed to have fallen through the cracks and frankly deserves a little more light shined on it. It is fascinating to see that the Seahawks attempted to extend Bryant for a few reasons.

First, when pairing this news about Bryant along with the 2022 draftee extension that did happen for offensive tackle Abe Lucas, it appears that the Seahawks were trying to buy low on these extensions. Lucas, for example, is coming off two injury-plagued seasons with his knee. Because of this the Seahawks, and Lucas were able to ink a deal that places Lucas at 12^th in the league for average dollars per year for right tackles. Had the Seahawks waited to do this deal with Lucas, between the cap rising every year, and a potential full-healthy season for Lucas in 2025, the average of $15.3 million that Lucas is now making could easily have shot up to a far more expensive number.

Extending players early is always risky. It can be very beneficial as it allows the team to secure a player long term before the cap rises, and the player potential breaks out. However, the player can also regress after the deal, and the team is left paying for a player who might not be meeting the expectations for that contract. Despite this, the reward often outweighs the risk. That is why successful teams such as the Super Bowl defending, Philadelphia Eagles frequently use this tactic (examples include Landon Dickerson, Jordan Mailata, and Cam Jurgens).

Looking at the Henderson report about trying to extend Bryant, it sounds like the Seahawks were trying to buy low again before Bryant’s 2025 season. After bouncing around the Seattle secondary (playing nickel, outside cornerback, and safety) in his first two seasons, Bryant entered the 2024 season as a backup safety, with many people wondering what his role on this defense would be. It wasn’t until injuries pushed Bryant into the starting lineup at safety that he began to flourish in this Mike Macdonald defense. For the 2024 season Bryant put up 73 tackles, three interceptions, one touchdown, six passes defensed, and one forced fumble. This all with Bryant not starting a game until week seven.

With all of this said, it would make sense that the Seahawks tried to give Bryant a new deal before he entered 2025 as an unqestioned starter. Similar to Lucas, the Seahawks likely believe that Bryant will have a strong 2025 season, and that it would behoove them to extend him before he plays himself into a higher contract number. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, it sounds like Bryant and his agent believe he will have a strong 2025 season as well, and thus far he already has two interceptions and a few other key defensive plays.

The other fascinating piece from this news is that the Seahawks want to keep Bryant in Seattle long-term, even with the recent drafting of safety, Nick Emmanwori. Often when a high draft pick (such as Emmanwori) is brought in, questions arise surrounding veterans at that same position. The Seahawks already have a Pro Bowl safety in Julian Love, and with Bryant entering a contract year, many questions arose around Bryant’s future in Seattle. Well, with this news about the Seahawks trying to extend Bryant, it is clear that Schneider, Macdonald, and the rest of the Seahawks brass want to keep the former Jim Thorpe Award winner in town. Time will tell if that is able to happen, or if Bryant plays himself into a contract that the Seahawks choose not to pay.